Archive for November, 2011

Team Austin members turned out Tuesday afternoon to show their support for Movember, an annual moustache charity event designed to raise awareness and funds for cancers that affect men, benefiting Austin-based LIVESTRONG and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The group walked one lap around the Texas State Capitol building to raise awareness, education and survivorship for men’s health issues. Currently the U.S. campaign has over 143,000 participants and has raised $13 million, according to Donny Killian, U.S. Country Manager. Participant Sean Bell with his sons Ethan, 5, left, and Cullen, 3, right, who sport moustaches of their own to show their support for the cause.

The annual Turkey Trot fun run sponsored by Thunder Cloud Subs was held on Thanksgiving morning as an assortment of Pilgrims, Native Americans and turkeys lead the main running pack at the start line near Cesar Chavez St. and S. 1st St. Thousands turned out for the annual activity before sitting down to their respective meals.

The 23rd annual Wimberley Community Thanksgiving has become a tradition for volunteers who feed hundreds in a sit-down meal at the community center, offer home delivery for meals on wheels and deliver to area employees who have to work. Glenn Keith, 69, enjoys his meal. "I've been here all my life." said Keith, whose grandmother was among the Wimberley family. "This is good food." he added. Keith was elected into the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2003. "I rode broncs and bulls 23 years for a living raising three kids." said Keith.

Hundreds of Austin area school children gathered at the Capital Area Food Bank to unload their PODS from which they gathered coats and cans as part of "A Legacy of Giving" program. The PODS were placed on their campuses for collection then sorted on site where cans went to the food bank and coats to Coats for Kids. Luke Marcum, 6, helps carry empty boxes as students from the Renaissance Academy carry coats to the Coats for Kids Jack Brown cleaners dropoff area.

Shoppers got off to an early start on Black Friday at Barton Creek Square mall. Nordstrom employee Katie Chaney cleans the window display of the store upon opening early for customers. Chaney is a Visual Trimmer for the store.

Shopping became a family affair for this group as they convene by the escalators to compare notes before splitting up again to continue shopping. They are from L-R: Lisette Rocha and her mother Claudia Rocha, Letty Mendez, center, Patty Mendez and her husband Noe Mendez, right.

For C.K. Ramesh it was a liitle too early as his wife left him behind to fall asleep on the couches outside Macy's while she continued to shop. "We started at 10pm last night. We went to WalMart, the San Marcos Outlet, Best Buy and now Barton Creek Mall." said C.K. when he woke from his nap.

The annual holiday Christmas tree has arrived to grace the front steps of the state Capitol. The 35-foot tall Eastern Red Cedar was donated from the Bastrop area and delivered to the south sidewalk of the Capitol through a sponsorship by the Austin Downtown Alliance. The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Urban Forestry Program performs the installation. The annual tree lighting ceremony and Stroll and Sing-a-long will be held Saturday December 3. Worker Alfredo Gonzales, far right, races over to help his co-workers in raising the tree.

The annual holiday Christmas trees that grace the interiors of the State Capitol arrived on the south steps Monday morning from the Elves Farm in Denison, Texas. Marshall Cathey, President of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association, delivered the trees on a horse-drawn carriage as Julie Strauss, wife of Speaker of the House Joe Strauss received them. Driving the carriage are from L-R: Katrin Freitag and Elaine Glass, of Austin's Die Gelbe Rose and seated in the carriage is Sharlote Cathey, with 10-month old son Kensler, and Marshall Cathey with sons Cooper, 9, and Hunter, 12.

Photos by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman

Nov 28, 2011 | Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Holidays Are Here, Time to Get Busy

Texas kicker Justin Tucker celebrates his game-winning field goal against Texas A&M at Kyle Field in College Station on Thursday Nov. 24, 2011. Texas beat Texas A&M 27-25 in the last game in the 118-year-old rivalry. Texas A&M is leaving the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012. Photos by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

UT kicker Justin Tucker kicks the game-winning field goal in the final seconds of the game.

Texas kicker Justin Tucker, right, is mobbed by teammates after he kicked a game-winning field goal.

Texas A&M head yell leader David Benac fires up the crowd outside at Kyle Field before the start of the game.

Young Texas A&M fans slap hands with A&M football players as they arrive for the Texas game.

Texas and Texas A&M face off for perhaps the final time on Thursday Nov. 24, 2011.

A 40-foot-tall Christmas tree sparkles with more than 6,000 lights and 400 ornaments at the 5th Annual Lighting of the Great Tree at The Domain on Saturday Nov. 19, 2011. The ceremony featured a performance by Nakia, of The Voice fame. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Nov 19, 2011 | Uncategorized | Comments Off on Lighting of the Great Tree

Crayton Carrozza, 12, enjoys the fall-like weather and colors of a mid-November day as he runs under the archways of the South First Street bridge along the south shore of Lady Bird Lake. A cold front is expected to move through the area overnight dropping temperature along the way.

Photo by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman

Nov 16, 2011 | Uncategorized | Comments Off on From Thunderstorms One Day to Beautiful Fall-Like Weather the Next

Late morning thunderstorms finally hit the Central Texas and Austin area Tuesday bringing much needed rain, but not enough to curb historic drought levels. Still it was welcomed even though it made getting around town a little tougher as this University of Texas student found out crossing Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. near campus.

Photo by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman

Nov 15, 2011 | Uncategorized | Comments Off on What Is That Falling From The Sky…Not Enough Yet

France's President Nicolas Sarkozy has appointed Austin's Bern Ballard, a 91 year-old WW II veteran, as "Chevalier" as a token of their gratitude for his role with the United States in the liberation of France during the war. "I rank it at least up there with my Purple Heart. It's a honor, I just wonder why me Lord, why me." said Ballard, who lives in Central Austin. Ballard holds his collection of medals which include among others, a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and a European Theatre of Operations.

Ballard was wounded by shrapnel in his right hand and still has pieces of metal under the skin. His grandsons want him to remove it so they can have a momento to frame. In Ballard's home he has a small museum of relics from his experience including several photographs. At far right is the letter from French President Sarkozy.

The State Department of Motor Vehicles’ governing board voted down a controversial proposal for a specialty license plate displaying the Confederate battle flag. The decision brought cheers and applause from the packed hearing room near the State Capitol. The decision came after nearly two hours of sometimes-emotional testimony, highlighted by U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, leading a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance while holding up a large U.S. flag.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, who was among a large crowd of lawmakers and citizens who testified against the plate as a racist symbol of Texas’ hateful past, said the vote was a victory. “Texas is better than this,” she said, as she holds photographic examples of the flag used in racist ways.

Listening in the crowd and having already spoken "For" the plates are Ray James, center left, and Granvel Block, right, Texas Division Commander for Sons of Confederate Veterans.

The board votes unanimously "Against" the speciality plates.

Board member Raymond Palacios, left, receives congratulations from U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, after the board voted against the plate.

Outside the Reagan building Rep. Green gathered with members of the Unified Veterans of America Association for recital of the Pledge and the singing of God Bless America.

Scattered showers were followed by a drop in temperatures as a cold front arrives in Central Texas Tuesday afternoon, pushing out the low hanging rain clouds as seen along Tollway 130 South near Creedmoor. Plus I just love Mini Coopers.

A jump team from Ft. Bragg dropped into the Texas Longhorns and the Texas Tech Red Raiders game at Darrell K Royal- Texas Memorial Stadium to celebrate veterans day on Saturday.

Texas Longhorns Assistant Head Coach Duane Akina celebrates a score against Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half of the game NCAA game at Darrell K Royal- Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday Texas won over Texas Tech 52-20.

Texas Longhorns (49) Trey Wier and (45) Luke Padgett take the field against Texas Tech Red Raiders in the NCAA game at Darrell K Royal- Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Texas Longhorns fans go crazy against Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half of the game.

Texas Longhorns (49) Trey Wier and (45) Luke Padgett take the field against Texas Tech Red Raiders in the NCAA game at Darrell K Royal- Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Texas Tech Red Raiders(86) Alex Torres tries to pull the ball in for a score but misses in the first half of the game NCAA game at Darrell K Royal- Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Texas Longhorns (24) Joe Bergeron runs into the endzone for a score in the 4th quarter against Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Texas Longhorns(6) Case McCoy celebrate with his teammates a score against Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half of the game NCAA game at Darrell K Royal- Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The Williamson County Courthouse Centennial Celebration was held Saturday in the historic courthouse on the square in Georgetown, Texas. Georgetown resident Barbara Hentzen admires this wonderfully crafted cake by Krissy's Cakes on display in the courthouse

Lt. Wes Morrison, right, with the Williamson County EMS Honor Guard, and Taylor Bentley, far left, posts the colors at the start of the program as Robert Payne, dressed as "Three Legged Willie" Robert McAlpin Williamson, the namesake of the county is the master of ceremonies.

The current courthouse, constructed in 1911, has had a tumultuous past, surviving three major renovations and many modifications including the demolition of its key architectural features in 1966. With the assistance of the Texas Historical Commission and the dedication of preservation-minded county citizens and officials, the fifth courthouse of Williamson County has been returned to its original 1911 splendor, once again becoming a focal point of the county.

25 children were united with their "Forever Families" today as part of a celebration for "Austin Adoption Day" at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center courtroom Thursday morning. Now celebrating 10 years the ceremony is for the kids adopted who have been in state custody because of victims of abuse or neglect. David and Maria Cadena adopted Rosie, 5, who was warmly welcomed into their family by presiding Judge Andy Hathcock. Dad David gives his new daughter Rosie a hug as mom Maria wipes away tears of joy after the judge grants their wish for adoption.

David, Maria and Rosie celebrate with hugs and kisses after the ceremony.

Jim and Doris Hohertz adopted three brothers William, 15, Noah, 8 and Jonah, 7, into their family giving them a total of six children. Noah hugs the stuffed teddy bear he chose after the adoption.

Judge Darlene Byrne celebrates the adoption ceremony with the family after she signs the papers making it official and having Jonah gavel in the proceedings. The family are from L-R: mother Doris, daughter Savannah being held by father Jim as Jonah and Noah are joined by older brother William, center, at the dais.

Sgt. Paul A. Rivera of Round Rock was killed on October 22, 2011 in Logar province, Afghanistan. Funeral services took place at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin and the burial was at Central Texas State Cemetery in Killeen on November 2, 2011. Photos by Laura Skelding/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Sgt. Paul A. Rivera was killed on October 22nd in Logar province, Afghanistan. Funeral services took place at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin and the burial was at Central Texas State Cemetery in Killeen.

His parents Fred Rivera and Evelyn and his brother, Phillip leave the church.

Senior Airman Nicholas Carmona puts his hand on Rivera’s coffin. “I was a best friend of Paul’s for 17 years,” Carmona said.

Occupy Austin remained quiet Wednesday afternoon as protestors with Occupy Oakland heat up with a called general strike for that city. Steven Flood shows his support for the Oakland occupiers with this sign he waves for traffic goers in front of the City Hall Plaza.

Tammy Watson, an out of work nurse, takes a nap on a air mattress under the shade of the City Hall Plaza awning. "People need homes, employement and education for their children." said Watson who supports the broad-based Austin movement, by sitting in for the past week.

A food table is setup on the City Hall Plaza as occupiers gather for snacks and donuts. A food table miscommunication led to several arrests last weekend when protestors refused to leave the area.

Senior RB Cody Johnson leads the Horns onto the field prior to kickoff against Kansas in a Big 12 matchup at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium

The Longhorn Band plays the "Eyes of Texas".

Texas’ true freshman RB Malcolm Brown comes out of his shoe as he dives for the endzone to score a first quarter touchdown. He led the Horns in first half rushing for over 100 yards. His fellow freshman teammate Joe Bergeron capped the team performance with over 100 yards rushing in the second half as Texas crushed Kansas’ 43-0.

The Texas Hellraisers lift a member in the air for every point scored after each score. By the end of the game their arms have to tired, but in a good way.

This young fan stayed to the very end enjoying the Horns performance in a runaway vicrtory.

The Texas cheerleaders lead the way after a third quarter score. Next up Texas Tech in a crucial Big 12 matchup with bowl game implications for the Longhorns.